>In endurance horses, I just can't imagine a circumstance where
>race-horse level lactates are reached.
> ti
> << Short of a total breakdown of rider judgement, me neither.
Personally, I wonder if there's a statistical correlation between rider
"ambition" and LA levels/glycogen depletion/muscle injury, what do you
think? :->
> Susan Evans >>
>
> In horse racing, there is CERTAINLY a negative correlation between rider IQ
> and the frequency of workout injuries. However, when the trainer doesn't take
> the time and effort to demand precision, all the blame can justifiably be
> passed on to the "officer in charge".
>
>ti
Some years ago, I took my best horse up to No. Calif. to put on some
final condition for six weeks before Tevis. I trailered up for 12 hours
and next day, against my better judgment, went out for a training ride
with another endurance friend who wouldn't take no for an answer. Her
horse was fitter than mine, and she kept wanting to go faster and faster
when I KNEW my horse needed an easy day to stretch out the kinks only.
Instead of hard-lining what my horse needed, I gave in to my friend's
bulldozing and pushed him too hard and sure enough, pulled a muscle that
set him back enough that he couldn't start Tevis. Stupid, stupid,
stupid. I spent alot of time being pissed at my friend for continuing
to push when I didn't want to, but the bottom line was that I was the
one in charge of my horse's health and it was MY responsibility he was
injured. I was lucky he healed up quick and came back strong, but never
forgot having learned the hard way. Anyway, just a story that I was
reminded of by your comment about demanding precision. Guess racing and
endurance isn't all that different is some ways, huh?
Susan